MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERS PARTNERS OFFICE OF DR BAGUDU-TRAINS HEALTH WORKERS ON SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN KEBBI STATE

MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERS PARTNERS OFFICE OF DR BAGUDU-TRAINS HEALTH WORKERS ON SEXUAL AND GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN KEBBI STATE
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF which translates to Doctors without Borders) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that provides medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.
The MSF team led by its regional Project Coordinator, Mr Tom Pieper were in Kebbi to build human capacity by training Doctors, Nurses and Midwives as well as legal practitioners on response and prevention of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).
Interesting to note the First lady had been the champion of the GBV campaign in the state and also serves as the grand patron of the Technical Working Group on GBV. Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu spearheaded the establishment of the first SARC center in the state- the Mai Talle Tara Sexual Assault Referral Center.
During the 2-day workshop facilitated by the MSF team of experts namely- Ruth Okello, Mercy Aba, Elizebeth Victor and Amina Idris, the participants (including members of the GBV Technical Working Group and staff of the new Mai Talle Tara Sexual Assault Referral Center), were refreshed on service delivery as it relates to caring for survivors of SGBV.
Speaking at the opening the First Lady of Kebbi State, Her Excellency Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu who was represented by the wife of the SSG, Hajiya Huraira Babale Umar Yauri, commended the team for coming to assist the efforts of the state government to institute standard SGBV response in Kebbi and to promote awareness. She encouraged participants to be mindful of the task ahead and follow protocols learnt in dealing with cases.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Honourable Jafar Muhammad appreciated the First lady for the initiative to improve the society always and the MSF team for their effort. The commissioner announced that the Mai Talle Tara SARC has been designated to receive and care for survivors at the Kebbi Medical Center Kalgo. He expressed his joy that the workshop will improve the capacity of the state to tackle these vices.
In his remarks, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Hon Hassan Muhammad Shalla said one of the cardinal principles of the current administration is to improve the standard of living of the people. He said that much more of the issue being discussed is prevalent in the rural areas than the urban which is why, according to him, the state government came up with laws to punish perpetrators and a center to support the victims. He gave the assurance of the government’s support as he prayed for fruitful deliberations.
Others who spoke at the opening included the Attorney General and Commisioner for Justice, Permanent Secretary Ministry for Higher Education Hajiya Halima Boyi Dikko, the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aishatu Maikurata and other members of the Technical Working Group.
The 2-day workshop rounded up with a grand closing ceremony of dinner, drama, cultural display by members of the National Youth Service Corp. The fun-filled night also featured the presentation of certificates to the participants.
Muktar Abubakar Bagudo
SSA
Kebbi State Government House
27/08/2021